Media & Events

NEADS generates so many heartwarming, amazing stories that we are often contacted by reporters, writers, photographers and filmmakers who want to document the wonderful work we do. We also celebrate our work twice year at graduation ceremonies that honor our most recent assistance dog teams.

Jill Hatcher & Jeni

My name is Jill and I've been profoundly deaf since birth. Because of my hearing loss, I face challenges across almost every aspect of my life and I have worked hard to mitigate barriers. Although I try to be as self-sufficient as possible, at 32, I am realizing that I need more help to address and overcome the challenges I face as a woman with hearing loss and achieve the things I want to achieve. I've been dependent on two hearing aids my entire life, but even with them I am unable to hear high-pitched sounds like whistling teapots, stove timers, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire alarms from neighboring apartments. In January 2015, NEADS matched me with a beautiful hearing dog named Jeni.